What’s with all the elephants in Dublin?

If you search Twitter for ‘elephants’ and ‘Dublin’ you will see that there are a number of pictures and references to the giant mammal taking to the Irish capitals streets this weekend.

Crowds of people dressed up in elephant onesies are running along the pavements, and a breath taking model has been photographed outside Mansion House with Lord Mayor Christy Burke, but what is it all about?

Well this weekend Dublin Zoo is hosting a hosting a family fun Elephant Trail and Elephant Extravaganza in the City Centre as part of the Month of the Elephant calendar of events organised to celebrate the arrival of three Asian elephant calves at Dublin Zoo.

Families can take part in a free treasure hunt-style event around the city in which they must find the six Asian elephants hiding around Dublin city centre which hold the answers to the trail questions. Families can follow the trail, complete the answers and learn lots about elephants .

The Elephant Trail map can be downloaded from www.DublinZoo.ie/elephants. The Elephant Trail will end at Barnardo’s Square, off Dame Street, where a family fun Elephant Extravaganza will take place. Every person who hands their completed trail in at Barnardo’s Square will receive a Child goes Free to Dublin Zoo pass.

A full list of all Month of the Elephant events is available on www.Dublinzoo.ie/elephants. Dubliners can share their pictures from the Elephant Trail on Facebook.com/DublinZoo or @DublinZoo #DublinElephants to be in with the chance to win other prizes.